Roman Art
By: Lily Teague At its beginning, Roman art was strongly influenced by the Etruscans and art from the Hellenistic period. However, over time, the Romans perfected many techniques and created their own style. The Romans excelled in many areas of art including mosaics, wall painting, and sculptures. Different time periods brought different styles of art and emphasis on different themes. (Carr) Roman mosaics were closely related to those from the Hellenistic period. Their designs were created on floors or used to decorate walls or vaults. Each design was made of hundreds of tesserae, or tiny cubes, coated with gold and covered in colored glass. These cubes were made of stone, colored marble, or tile. One of the major Roman contributions to mosaics was in Sicily. In a Sicilian villa, a mosaic was found called the Great Hunt. It measures 15ft x 200 ft. Another series of impressive mosaics can be found in the Baths of Neptune.
Baths of Neptune
Here the mosaics are made of black and white marble. (Moulton, 73) The baths were built in the Antonine Dynasty which included the reign of Marcus Aurelius. (Sullivan)
There are three main types of Roman wall painting. The first, Fresco, imitated masonry. Colorful designs were painted onto plaster walls to make them look like marble. The second style added details such as fruit, garlands, or flowers. (Carr) The third was called “Trompe l’oeil”, meaning “trick of the eye” in French. This style imitated columns and arches with landscapes painted behind them, giving the illusion of a window. (Moulton, 72)
Many different themes and materials were used in Roman sculptures. The sculptures were made of either marble, limestone, bronze, volcanic rock called tufa, or terra-cotta. Roman sculptures were greatly influenced by Greek art. Many times the Romans would use
Column of Marcus Aurelius
similar techniques, styles, and sometimes completely copy the Greeks. However, the Romans were the first to put emphasis on making humans look realistic with great detail, while the Greeks showed just the general idea. (Moulton, 73-74) Around 200 A.D., portrayal of bloodshed was popular. The Column of Marcus Aurelius is an excellent example of this. It shows, with great accuracy, guts being ripped out and heads being severed. During the rise of Christianity, the theme turned away from bloodshed and towards religion. Emphasis was put on the eyes of sculptures, because the eyes were considered “windows to the soul.” Often the sculpture’s eyes would be pointed heavenward. (Carr) These new ideas held until the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D.
By: Lily Teague
At its beginning, Roman art was strongly influenced by the Etruscans and art from the Hellenistic period. However, over time, the Romans perfected many techniques and created their own style. The Romans excelled in many areas of art including mosaics, wall painting, and sculptures. Different time periods brought different styles of art and emphasis on different themes. (Carr)
Roman mosaics were closely related to those from the Hellenistic period. Their designs were created on floors or used to decorate walls or vaults. Each design was made of hundreds of tesserae, or tiny cubes, coated with gold and covered in colored glass. These cubes were made of stone, colored marble, or tile. One of the major Roman contributions to mosaics was in Sicily. In a Sicilian villa, a mosaic was found called the Great Hunt. It measures 15ft x 200 ft. Another series of impressive mosaics can be found in the Baths of Neptune.
There are three main types of Roman wall painting. The first, Fresco, imitated masonry. Colorful designs were painted onto plaster walls to make them look like marble. The second style added details such as fruit, garlands, or flowers. (Carr) The third was called “Trompe l’oeil”, meaning “trick of the eye” in French. This style imitated columns and arches with landscapes painted behind them, giving the illusion of a window. (Moulton, 72)
Many different themes and materials were used in Roman sculptures. The sculptures were made of either marble, limestone, bronze, volcanic rock called tufa, or terra-cotta. Roman sculptures were greatly influenced by Greek art. Many times the Romans would use
Carr, Karen. "Roman Art." Kidipede. 11/10/2006. 2 Dec 2008 <http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/art/index3.htm>.
Mouton, Carroll. Ancient Greece and Rome I . New York: Simon and Schuster Macmillan, 1998.
Carr, Karen. "Column of Marcus Aurelius." Kidipede. 11/10/2006. 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/romans/art/aureliancolumn.htm>.
Sullivan, Mary. "Baths of Neptune." 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/italy/ostia/neptune.html>.